Delaware
On December 7, 1787, Delaware became the first state by ratifying the U.S.
Constitution. It is a beautiful place to live with some of the
friendliest people in the country. Although it is the 2nd smallest state
it still has a lot of farmland and country charm south of the canal, as well
as, an annual Indian Powwow. American dreamer, Oliver Evans of Newport,
Delaware invented the automatic flour-milling machine and revolutionized grain
milling in the United States in 1785.
The
American Dream continues to grow in this small state where many home-based
businesses still revolve around agriculture in Delaware. Local honey producer,
Ken Outten, sells honey at Hills Market Apiary in Felton, DE.
(You can
find out more about Delaware honey at http://www.delawarebeekeepers.com/for_sale.html
)
The RAPA Scrapple
factory brings a lot of business to Bridgeville, Delaware. Scrapple is a yummy
concoction made from pork scraps and cornmeal. The factory has a sign in town
with the ingredients listed boldly if you want to know it all. The town hosts
the annual Apple-Scrapple Festival which is hungrily attended by thousands of
people each year. Apple Dumplings and Scrapple seem to have been made for
each other in this charming east coast town. The streets of the town are taken
over by food and craft vendors, musicians, classic cars, and re-enactors. (I’m
not sure what they are re-enacting but it is fun to see these history buffs in
their period garb.) Do other countries have re-enactors or is this just
an American hobby?
Country
craftsmen and women still make many handmade items. From homemade jams and jellies to musical instruments, craft fairs are a big deal in this state! William Hanes of Harrington, DE, has been making
handmade dulcimers and guitars for many years and sells them at crafts fairs. Each quality instrument has its own character and unique sound. He
recently made a Dobro that is just as beautiful to listen to as it is to see.
Breweries
are important to Delaware. Many American Dreams began in the taverns of the
colonies around a cold glass of beer. Dog Fishhead Brewery of Milton, DE
is well known for its unique craft-brewed ales. I personally prefer root beer
so, when I was in the Dover Newsstand one day for breakfast with my son I
became curious about a frothy product made right here in Delaware. As we were
sharing an awesome omelet and some rye toast I looked down and noticed an ad on
the tabletop: "These sodas are made 2.3 miles from the Dover
Newsstand." It is the first time I have ever decided I must
order a root beer with my breakfast. The Dominion Brewery in Dover, DE has
been making Root Beer based on recipes from the Library of Congress. The
bubbling beverage is made with honey,
cane sugar, and sassafras. Sassafras is a tree that grows in the
woodlands of America. I remember going out to the woods in Southern
Indiana as a child to dig the roots which were then chipped up to make a tasty
tea. The leaves of the tree have lobes that often look mitten-shaped. If
you happen to see one of these trees on your next walk, bend a branch and you
will be able to smell the sassafras scent that makes Old Dominion Root Beer so wonderful. You can take a
tour of the brewery and see how it's made. Check out their website: http://www.fordhamanddominion.com/#!tours/c4uo
Speaking of concoctions, did you know that Jello products are made in little old Delaware. I think I will have some banana pudding now.
Please share your knowledge of Made in Delaware products and businesses.
